Vaisala - Profitability under short-term pressure
Despite robust growth shown in Q2, Vaisala’s EBIT was a bit softer driven by increased cost pressures. We expect the demand for Vaisala’s products to continue strong while we foresee some short-term pressures on margins. We retain our HOLD-rating and adjust TP to EUR 43.0 (45.0).
IM driving group topline growth, EBIT bit softish
Vaisala’s net sales grew nicely, by 10% to EUR 120.5m. The growth was mainly driven by the IM business unit (+24% y/y) while W&E’s revenue was approx. flat y/y. Vaisala managed to hold on to its margins and the group gross margin was on a solid level at 52.3%. The company continued its investments in its future growth and operative costs increased according to its plans. To our understanding, part of increased costs is short-term that will scale eventually after the IT-system update has been complete. EBIT decreased by 5% y/y, and fell short of our expectations, to EUR 10.3m (8.6% margin).
Guidance reiterated, some uncertainty ahead
Vaisala reiterated its FY’22 guidance; net sales between EUR 465-495 and EBIT between EUR 55-70m. With IM’s market demand continuing strong and W&E’s order book being all-time-high, we consider the company achieving its guidance easily. However, with the COVID-19 situation in Asia continuing, the war in Ukraine not ending, and the low visibility of component availability, H2 includes some uncertainties that might affect the company’s performance. We slightly adjusted our estimates; 2022 net sales estimate of EUR 491.1m nears the upper bound of the guidance range while with cost pressures being elevated, our EBIT estimate of EUR 58.2 is below the mid-point of the guidance range.
HOLD with a target price of EUR 43.0 (45.0)
We made only minor upward adjustments to our topline estimates while we adjusted our short-term EBIT estimates downwards driven by increased costs pressures stemming mainly from the company’s increased investments in its future growth. Vaisala continues to trade above its peer group, with approx. 40% premium. We adjust our TP to EUR 43.0 (45.0) and retain HOLD-rating.
Vaisala’s net sales grew nicely, by 10% to EUR 120.5m. The growth was mainly driven by the IM business unit (+24% y/y) while W&E’s revenue was approx. flat y/y. Vaisala managed to hold on to its margins and the group gross margin was on a solid level at 52.3%. The company continued its investments in its future growth and operative costs increased according to its plans. To our understanding, part of increased costs is short-term that will scale eventually after the IT-system update has been complete. EBIT decreased by 5% y/y, and fell short of our expectations, to EUR 10.3m (8.6% margin).
Guidance reiterated, some uncertainty ahead
Vaisala reiterated its FY’22 guidance; net sales between EUR 465-495 and EBIT between EUR 55-70m. With IM’s market demand continuing strong and W&E’s order book being all-time-high, we consider the company achieving its guidance easily. However, with the COVID-19 situation in Asia continuing, the war in Ukraine not ending, and the low visibility of component availability, H2 includes some uncertainties that might affect the company’s performance. We slightly adjusted our estimates; 2022 net sales estimate of EUR 491.1m nears the upper bound of the guidance range while with cost pressures being elevated, our EBIT estimate of EUR 58.2 is below the mid-point of the guidance range.
HOLD with a target price of EUR 43.0 (45.0)
We made only minor upward adjustments to our topline estimates while we adjusted our short-term EBIT estimates downwards driven by increased costs pressures stemming mainly from the company’s increased investments in its future growth. Vaisala continues to trade above its peer group, with approx. 40% premium. We adjust our TP to EUR 43.0 (45.0) and retain HOLD-rating.